sperm whale

noun

1. a large, square-snouted whale, Physeter catodon, valued for its oil and spermaceti: now reduced in number and rare in some areas.

sperm whale

noun

1. Also called: cachalot. a large toothed whale, Physeter catodon, having a square-shaped head and hunted for sperm oil, spermaceti, and ambergris: family Physeteridae

Word History and Origins

Origin of sperm whale¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Word History and Origins

Origin of sperm whale¹

C19: short for _spermaceti whale